ORANGE-LEGGED HOBBY, 47 



RA PTORES. FA LCONID M 



PLATE X. 



ORANGE-LEGGED HOBBY. 

 Falco Rufipes. 



The Orange-legged Hobby is found in many of the tem- 

 perate parts of Europe, from the forty-third to the fifty-third 

 degree of north latitude : it is of rare occurrence in the 

 western, but is said to be common in the eastern countries 

 of Europe, and in Siberia. It is often seen in Russia, 

 Poland, Hungary, and Silesia. It appears sometimes in 

 Switzerland, and occasionally, but very rarely, in France. 

 In England it is considered of very rare occurrence, a few 

 specimens only having fallen into the hands of persons ac- 

 quainted with this branch of natural history. These spe- 

 cimens, which were first recorded by Mr.Yarrell, were shot 

 on the eastern coast of England, in Norfolk ; and one has 

 since been met with in Ireland. 



According to my own observation, the Red-legged Hobby 

 has appeared in this country since the period last recorded, 

 namely 1832; and it is possible that when further investi- 

 gation is made on the subject, it may be found not to be of 

 such rare occurrence as it is at present supposed to be. 



I have more than once seen this bird, but have not been 

 so fortunate as to obtain possession of it. On one occasion, 

 in the summer of 1838, I was late one evening walking in 

 the unenclosed plantations belonging to Claremont, and was 

 carefully searching for Plovers' 1 eggs on a boggy heath, on 



VOL. I. E 



